Nikos Skalkottas (1904-1949) – String Quartet no. 1(1928)
- Allegro giusto, 2. Andante con variazioni, 3. Allegro (ben ritmato) vivace
Performed by: New Hellenic Quartet
Nikos Skalkottas (1904-1949) – String Quartet no. 1 (1935)
- Allegro moderato, 2. Andante, 3. Rondo: Allegro vivace
Performed by: New Hellenic Quartet
Nikos Skalkottas (1904-1949) – Ten Musical sketches (1940)
- Sinfonia, 2. Concerto, 3. Passacaglia, 4. Suita, 5. Concertino, 6. Serenata, 7. Ragtime, 8. Notturno, 9. Capriccio, 10. Rondo
Performed by: New Hellenic Quartet
An interesting figure in musical life between the two world wars was the Greek composer Nikos Skalkottas, who studied with Kurt Weill and Arnold Schönberg, among others. His music is extremely expressive, hovering between tonal and atonal, such as the three-part First String Quartet from 1928. The Third String Quartet (1935) is clearly a reflection of Skalkottas’ learning period with Schoenberg. Elements of the twelve-tone technique now play an increasingly important role in his composing.
In 1940, Nikos Skalkottas composed a suite for string quartet or string orchestra under the title Ten musical sketches. To approximate the idea of a sketch, each part comprises only a single page of music! Each of the movements hints at classical forms and genres. In the Rondo finale, a Greek dance, the Kalamatianos, sounds as an exception.
